Solar panels plan for Hereford's historic St Francis Xavier church

An application for planning permission (240155) and listed building consent (240156) by St Francis Xaviers Church in Broad Street says the 20 panels “would be advantageous in a number of ways”, saving on the church’s energy costs while being largely invisible to the public.

“Although the glass dome on the roof is visible from certain standpoints, the roof does not seem to be visible and the solar panels would be hidden from view behind the roof parapet,” the church’s application says.

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An accompanying heritage report adds: “From the cathedral tower the roof of St Francis Xavier would be seen, but this is a view experienced by very few people.”

The church's roof is visible from the nearby Cathedral tower (Image: Brian Robert Marshall / geograph)

A structural report also included says the panels are “unlikely to have any significant impact on the existing roof structure”, but that the installation of their supports “must be a monitored and carefully undertaken, with an allowance for repairs if needed”.

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A quote from an installer says the 12.45 kW array would generate 11,528 kWh of clean electricity a year, saving 2,448kg of CO2.

Built in a Classical style with an ornate interior, the early Victorian Roman Catholic church is grade II* listed, necessitating listed building consent for the work.

That and the planning application can be commented on until March 7.